We won’t be sorry to see wall go, say people in Piccadilly
PLANS to bulldoze Manchester’s infamous Piccadilly Gardens wall have been welcomed by a majority of people.
Following two M.E.N. campaigns – which included submitting a 20,000-signature petition to council chiefs – proposals to tear down the concrete eyesore have at last been tabled.
An application to replace the wall with a brand new pavilion has been handed to the town hall planning department by owners Legal and General.
The £2m designs show a new wood, slate and glass structure on roughly the same footprint as the existing wall – this time with a curved, grassed roof.
But what do people think of the wall and plans to transform the area?
The M.E.N. went into Piccadilly Gardens to find out.
One passing woman said she was ‘embarrassed’ to take friends to the gardens when they visit the city.
She said: “I hate it – and I hate the wall, I think it shows a part of Manchester that I don’t like, that I don’t think is representative.” Dan Mironov, 18, student, from Manchester said: “The general atmosphere is pretty nice because you’ve got the park in the back and the grassed areas. “But the wall itself is not very pleasant to look at. I think more greenery would be nice.” Charmain Berry, 47, a psychotherapist, from Bolton said: “I think it’s okay, but I think it could be a lot better. “I remember what it used to be like before they transformed it and it used to be beautiful with lots of trees and it was just a much better place to hang out. “I really don’t like the wall, I think the gardens will be much better without it.” James Taylor, 70, retired, from Manchester said: “Once the wall is demolished and it’s a lot more open, the gardens will probably be a lot better. Dan Mironov “The atmosphere is pretty good here, it’s not bad.
“t doesn’t need so much of a big change, just altering.”
NHS worker Pete Lees, 37, from Stockport, said: “It’s a great place to relax and have a bit of greenery around, I like it. It’s still very concretey so it would be nice for it to be expanded with more trees and more plants.
“If it stays open, but with a bit of greenery, it would probably be a lot more attractive place.”
Student Grace Large, 19, from Middleton said: “I actually really like Piccadilly Gardens, but I think the set out could be a bit different the vibe’s good and the energy is great. It’s a nice place to come and chill, with more restaurants and shops it will draw more attention.”
Teacher Cath Harrison, 49, from Stretford said: “I’ve never liked the big concrete extension, it is a bit of an eyesore.”
Julie Murray, 52, a civil servant from Manchester, said: She said: “The area needs to be maintained much better, it’s just so dirty.”